Born in Blood



Liam raised his brows.

Elder Jane's last question didn't surprise him as much as it should have.

The Temple of Shadow had people situated in different parts of Ilali.

If Liam of all people owned a network of information, their spies were perhaps much, much more skilled at their work.

Still, Liam had to answer the three questions.

"I study everything. It's not just spirit beasts and magical beasts. I'd even study you if you'd let me."

Elder Jane's lips twitched.

Was it a positive sign?

Liam couldn't really tell.

He continued nevertheless.

For the second question, Liam was a bit reserved.

"I was lucky. It was weakened with so many spells and boulders that fell on it, and I have several techniques that enhance my strength and speed."

That answer didn't satisfy Jane as much as it should have, but Liam moved on.

"I'm a fugitive. The Royals and nobles of Echoria want my head."

After Liam answered the last question, Elder Jane couldn't hide her exclamation of shock in the form of a loud curse.

Liam almost smiled.

Liam was like a piece of hot coal.

An infamous coal that an entire country wanted to destroy.

A burning coal that the Temple now had to hold on to.

They couldn't throw him away or kill him… probably.

Liam was too valuable of an asset, and in the short time that he stayed with the Temple of Shadow, he'd already gained the trust of an Elder, and the respect of the Shadows.

Elder Jane looked at Liam with a hidden gaze.

Liam couldn't tell what she was thinking. Her aura stayed the same throughout, and her mental energy was too complicated to know her intention or emotion.

"If there are any secrets as big as those, you need to tell me. Now."

Liam remained silent.

"Not as big."

There was a short pause as Elder Jane didn't say anything, then let out a long sigh.

"Just don't make us regret taking you in."

///

Liam was brought to a large circular room within the Temple. In the center, was a large inscribed cage that Elder Jane had shoved the Rank 4 Shifter into.

As soon as Liam entered, the Shifter trashed around and squealed.

Its tentacles shot out towards Liam through the thin bar gaps, but stopped just before the sharp tips of it pierced through his face. It had reached the end of its length.

Liam didn't flinch.

Elder Jane stood beside him as they both approached the cage. Her aura was dangerous enough to make Liam's senses scream, even though it wasn't directed to Liam.

Sensing the approaching threat, the Shifter squeezed itself to the opposite side of the tight enclosure.

"I remember chaining it down," the Elder frowned.

Liam didn't say anything and got close.

"Can you take it out and subdue it for me? It's still a Zenith," Liam requested.

"Now it's a Zenith? What about when you carried it through a collapsing dungeon?" the Elder asked mockingly.

Liam remained silent.

The Elder opened up the cage through a slot in the middle.

The Octopus let out a hostile squeak as it sensed the two figures so close to it.

Abruptly, it let out a shrieking squeal and lurched at Liam in a last attempt to save itself, but Elder Jane slapped it once across the head.

TISH!

It flopped to the floor, dazed and limp.

Liam was worried that the Elder's attack killed the beast, but during the one day of rest it had, the Octopus was in a much better condition.

In fact, the slap across its head didn't wound it significantly. It merely stunned it.

'Transforming so many times must have weakened its body a lot. So that's another weakness it has.'

Liam crouched beside the limp octopus and began to lay his hands on it.

He began examining its body first.

Liam squeezed its head as hard as he could.

Sqlish.

The Shifter's face crumpled into Liam's hand like the softest jelly in the world.

Then, with both hands, Liam pulled the Shifter's head.

Bo~ing.

The Shifter elongated as much as Liam's arms stretched. Its elasticity was unbelievable.

Liam pressed, twisted, pulled, bent, and folded the Octopus in countless ways.

From an outside perspective, it may look like Liam was just having fun.

But in reality, he was testing how the Octopus reacted to stress and force, as well as its connection to the liquid darkness.

Liam could sense that its skin instantly reacted to touch, turning softer.

And underneath, the organs changed shape in real-time to match whatever form Liam pressed it to.

'Its body automatically secretes the liquid darkness to manipulate its body in that way.'

Liam wanted to study the core as well, but he'd have to kill and extract it from the beast first.

'I probably won't find another Shifter in a long time. I have to keep this one alive for as long as possible.'

"Are you done?" Elder Jane said with a hint of impatience in her voice. "I'll have to sell it anyway. A Shifter alive will fetch a massive price, enough to buy new spells and techniques for the low ranking acolytes."

No!

Liam couldn't let that happen.

But he'd have to offer something in exchange.

"Please don't sell it. I can forge and inscribe more weapons for you."

Elder Jane pursed her lips in thought.

"Your weapons won't make them stronger, Liam. I can't blatantly give you special treatment. At least, for now. Only once you get your tattoos, you'll be a true member of the Temple."

Liam almost clicked his tongue, but he stopped himself.

What else could he give?

"Then I can give you secrets of the Royal Academy. I used to be a student there."

It wasn't visible due to the mask, but Liam could tell the Elder raised her brows.

"What secrets?"

Liam didn't respond instantly.

"Will you let me keep the Shifter?"

Silence.

Elder Jane let out another sigh.

"Fine. Tell me everything."